Underrated Black Artists

Kristin Blake

February is Black History Month. To celebrate, we’re listing our top 4 underrated Black music artists.

EarthGang

EarthGang is a hip hop duo (Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot) based out of Atlanta, Georgia. The group formed in 2008 while the pair were still in high school, and in 2017, they were picked up by Dreamville Records.

Recommended Song: Blue Moon

Orion Sun

Orion Sun is a queer singer-songwriter and producer from Philadelphia. She released her first song, “Voicemail”, on YouTube in 2013. She has been releasing music since then with her latest release being in 2021.

Recommended Song: Sailing

Alex Isley

Alex Isley is another singer-songwriter from Los Angeles. Her music can be described as “R&B with hip hop and jazz influences.” Her latest song “Still Wonder” released in 2021.

Recommended Song: Good & Plenty

KIRBY

Last but not least, KIRBY. Kirby is an artist from right here in Memphis, TN. She wrote songs such as “FourFiveSeconds” performed by Rihanna, “Die with You” performed by Beyoncé, and “Break Your Heart Right Back” by Ariana Grande. She released her first studio album, Sis, in 2020.

Recommended Song: Boyz II Men

Want to hear some more songs by black artists? Below is a curated Spotify playlist for you!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4YAoAshtEtYOOE5iIbaJfD?si=aTVG3f15Q0eDcZ5L9fzvVw

It's Okay To Be Single

Faith Jackson

Given the fact that Valentine’s Day is near, I understand your frustration with being single. Every corner you turn to is adorned with shades and hues of reds, whites, and pinks. The aisles are lined with chocolate and teddy bears. The songs played in stores are about love and triumph, while you have no way to relate. Even though you aren’t in a relationship, you also aren’t alone. On a place we call earth there has always been an idea of marriage or the union of one or more souls. While having companionship is nice, you don’t have to be in a relationship to find happiness. A lot of people prefer to not get in relationships, and would rather spend their time exploring places, themselves, and in general life.

Instead of feeling sorrowful about the fact that you don’t have anyone to go on a trip with, you could take the trip and possibly find who you are looking for. Or you can go on a date and get your own chocolate. We spend our time looking for ways to make life more meaningful with every second we have because at the end of the day we don’t often know how long we must live. Therefore, you should flow with and influence time as it comes instead of trying to predict it. You don’t have to chase what is already coming towards you, but that also means you can’t lock yourself in a room and let all your chances pass you by. You don’t need to fit into society’s deep-rooted stereotype that just so happens to feed the economy. You can pick what path you want to go on. You can learn what peace means to you. You can build an empire, while starting a stable foundation for the younger generation. You can become a superhero and have a secret cave that no one knows about. And I understand that some of these ideas aren’t compelling because they seem impossible to do but being in a relationship and sharing your soul with someone is nonetheless harder to do.

Being in a relationship sounds so easy, but like other things in life it is simple yet complex. We tend to rush ourselves to be ready for something that isn’t yet ready for us. So, until it comes you can sit back, learn, and enjoy yourself!! In the beginning there were multiple things that we clearly didn’t and still don’t know for sure, but in your beginning till your end you have and will be present. You have been able to see your rainy days and your accomplishments go by. And I understand that by the time you get to the bottom of this text, you will be annoyed with the word YOU, but if you are reading this text, it is about and for YOU. You know how it started, you know how it’s going, and every waking second you learn how it will go. If there isn’t anyone else, there will be YOU!!

Toni Morrison

Kahla McKinnie

Black History Month is finally upon us. Even though black excellence deserves to be celebrated everyday, this is the one month out of the year where blackness is highlighted and celebrated. There have been many iconic black figures throughout history and even today, but the one who speaks the most to me is Toni Morrison. Toni Morrison (1931-2019) was a famous novelist and poet, writing countless works of art such as “The Bluest Eye” (1970), “Beloved” (1987),"Song of Solomon” (1977) and many more. She also wrote a volume that consisted of five poems. One of the poems she wrote, titled “Someone leans near”, goes as follows:

Someone leans near

And sees the salt your eyes have shed.

You wait, longing to hear

Words of reason, love or play

To lash or lull you toward the hollow day.

Silence kneads your fear

Of crumbled star-ash sifting down

Clouding the rooms here, here.

You shore up your heart to run. To stay.

But no sign or design marks the narrow way.

Then on your skin a breath caresses

The salt your eyes have shed.

And you remember a call clear, so clear

“You will never die again.”

Once more you know

You will never die again.

Throughout her legacy she has won countless awards, one of which was the Nobel Peace prize. Even though Toni Morrison is no longer with us in flesh she will always be remembered for her incredible tenacity and the magic she had with words. Her legacy will live on through her countless works of literature and her character alone.